Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[lynnemcb]

Hope you all enjoy your trip to our country - i keep looking at ABD but the cost just seems so much - once you add flights.

funny how exotic scotland seems when you are reading through an ABD intinery - its a great itinery and will really show off the beautiful spots in Soctland.

Just watch out for the midges - if youre coming in the summer!!!!

Lynne

 

[bobrex]

Hope you all enjoy your trip to our country - i keep looking at ABD but the cost just seems so much - once you add flights.

funny how exotic scotland seems when you are reading through an ABD intinery - its a great itinery and will really show off the beautiful spots in Soctland.

Just watch out for the midges - if youre coming in the summer!!!!

Lynne

Yes, ABD is more expensive than most of the other tour companies. I've done a number of Globus and Tauk tours, and as far as I'm concerned, you get what you pay for. The ABD experience is superior to anything I've done before. In every case, and this can be critical for international trips, ABD uses superior lodging, additional tours that other companies cannot offer, more meals,... Ther's just something special when the mouse is involved.

 

[SingingMom]

Yes, ABD is more expensive than most of the other tour companies. I've done a number of Globus and Tauk tours, and as far as I'm concerned, you get what you pay for. The ABD experience is superior to anything I've done before. In every case, and this can be critical for international trips, ABD uses superior lodging, additional tours that other companies cannot offer, more meals,... Ther's just something special when the mouse is involved.

Having never traveled to Europe before, I knew we wanted a "tour". I was between Tauck and ABD. Disney had the itinerary my 18 year old wanted. We LOVED it and will only travel a tour with them again! The added attention to details is par none !

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wow! I guess ABD underestimated the popularity of this trip. I'm glad they were able to arrange extra departures! They have plenty of time to train extra Guides! Sayhello

I'm not sure what to think about the added dates. I *really* hope the quality doesn't suffer, especially for the overlapping tours. I'm actually a little bummed to hear this.

Me too I knew about the pins. I was on a Disney Cruise and attended an ABD presentation where they raffled off a set of pins that contained ALL of the pins for every adventure.

Our pins for Ireland are really cute, I'd love to see something with Merida for Scotland. I can't imagine a full set--that must have been a ton!

Yes, ABD is more expensive than most of the other tour companies. I've done a number of Globus and Tauk tours, and as far as I'm concerned, you get what you pay for. The ABD experience is superior to anything I've done before. In every case, and this can be critical for international trips, ABD uses superior lodging, additional tours that other companies cannot offer, more meals,... Ther's just something special when the mouse is involved.

I haven't done Tauk, but I've done a tour through a University alumni program and that was much MORE expensive than Disney. It was also very upscale with lots of added extras, although not geared toward kids. The university does have family trips, which I'd love to try to compare at some point (maybe when I win the lotto

 

[calypso726]

Has anyone besides me noticed that under the Scotland itinerary Tips & Tricks area of the ABD website there is a section that says "Recommended Reading - a selection of books to help you get the most of out of your travel prepared especially to enhance your Adventures by Disney vacation." Then when you click on the recommended reading all of the books are about Ireland

I contacted ABD last month to let them know about the error. They responded and said they would let their web services team know. So I checked today thinking I would be ordering some books and it still has recommended reading on Ireland

 

[Calfan]

Has anyone besides me noticed that under the Scotland itinerary Tips & Tricks area of the ABD website there is a section that says "Recommended Reading - a selection of books to help you get the most of out of your travel prepared especially to enhance your Adventures by Disney vacation." Then when you click on the recommended reading all of the books are about Ireland

I contacted ABD last month to let them know about the error. They responded and said they would let their web services team know. So I checked today thinking I would be ordering some books and it still has recommended reading on Ireland

Bummer. I hope they fix that. I hadn't taken a look at the Tips & Tricks section but will do that.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Has anyone besides me noticed that under the Scotland itinerary Tips & Tricks area of the ABD website there is a section that says "Recommended Reading - a selection of books to help you get the most of out of your travel prepared especially to enhance your Adventures by Disney vacation." Then when you click on the recommended reading all of the books are about Ireland

I contacted ABD last month to let them know about the error. They responded and said they would let their web services team know. So I checked today thinking I would be ordering some books and it still has recommended reading on Ireland

Double eye roll! I hadn't seen that section either but will check it out. I could think of a huge list of books to read, if they need help, LOL.

 

[calypso726]

Bummer. I hope they fix that. I hadn't taken a look at the Tips & Tricks section but will do that.

Double eye roll! I hadn't seen that section either but will check it out. I could think of a huge list of books to read, if they need help, LOL.

I went and took a peek at the ABD we page under Tips & Tricks for Recommended Reading and it now contains books on Scotland instead of Ireland

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I went and took a peek at the ABD we page under Tips & Tricks for Recommended Reading and it now contains books on Scotland instead of Ireland

Looks like a pretty good list. I've read a number of them. Would have been nice to see some fiction up there (Sir Walter, anyone?).

 

[calypso726]

Looks like a pretty good list. I've read a number of them. Would have been nice to see some fiction up there (Sir Walter, anyone?).

Yeah, and Outlander too

Any recommendations? I was thinking of getting Scotland, A Concise History and Culture Smart! Scotland.

 

[SnowhiteHeather]

I am desperate to go on the Scotland abd. However, I have no one to go with and they charge an arm and a leg extra to go alone

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Yeah, and Outlander too

Any recommendations? I was thinking of getting Scotland, A Concise History and Culture Smart! Scotland.

I have the MacLean book and, if I remember correctly, it's a pretty good intro to Scottish history. Don't know about the Culture Smart, book. The Johnson Boswell book is a classic and a pretty fun read. When I took my Stanford Alumni cruise through the Western Isles that was one of the required reading books (as was Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, which would also be a great choice and one I was surprised wasn't on the list). I also loved the Sea Room, but that is probably because I've been to the Shiant islands, which are the subject of the book. I was trying to post a picture, but couldn't figure it out. I just noticed that Waverly (by Sir Walter) is on there--glad they didn't completely miss him. If you want to read historical fiction classics, I'd recommend Nigel Tranter The Wallace or The Bruce trilogy.

 

[calypso726]

I am desperate to go on the Scotland abd. However, I have no one to go with and they charge an arm and a leg extra to go alone

Hi SnowhiteHeather Yeah, I saw the charge for solos was pretty steep I know someone else on this thread, 2BNDisney, is going solo. I also distinctly remember reading a post somewhere on the ABD boards where somene was asking if there was another solo traveler that might want to room together on a trip. I don't remember who it was or what trip it was for though If you are up for it, I would post a thread on ABD and in the Solo travlers section of the DIS to see if someone might want to room with you. Back when I was showing dogs everyone used to do that on the show dog message boards. It was always cheaper to travel together and share the expenses than going solo. I made some really great lifelong friends that way too

I have the MacLean book and, if I remember correctly, it's a pretty good intro to Scottish history. Don't know about the Culture Smart, book. The Johnson Boswell book is a classic and a pretty fun read. When I took my Stanford Alumni cruise through the Western Isles that was one of the required reading books (as was Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, which would also be a great choice and one I was surprised wasn't on the list). I also loved the Sea Room, but that is probably because I've been to the Shiant islands, which are the subject of the book. I was trying to post a picture, but couldn't figure it out. I just noticed that Waverly (by Sir Walter) is on there--glad they didn't completely miss him. If you want to read historical fiction classics, I'd recommend Nigel Tranter The Wallace or The Bruce trilogy.

Thank you for the suggestions I think I will pick up the Johnson/Boswell book as well with the ones I'm getting right off the bat. I will look into the others as well. Hopefully reading will channel some excess energy and tone down my obsession for this trip Putting our entire itinerary up on Pinterest helped but I find myself counting the days to August 2013 again

Oh and for the other Diana Gabaldon/Outlander fans here in case you haven't heard. Sony pictures tv has bought the rights to the Outlander series and Ron Moore will be adapting it into a cable tv series. I'm torn between feeling YAY FINALLY and OMG please don't RUIN the BEST series I've ever read. If they do it like they did Game of Thrones, it should be ok. If they do it like they did True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse series I think I will be sick

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm torn between feeling YAY FINALLY and OMG please don't RUIN the BEST series I've ever read. If they do it like they did Game of Thrones, it should be ok. If they do it like they did True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse series I think I will be sick

Completely ditto for me--with same examples. I absolutely love GOT, but only the first season of TB worked for me. Wonder who they will get to play Jamie. Need a bigger Kevin McKidd.

 

[calypso726]

Completely ditto for me--with same examples. I absolutely love GOT, but only the first season of TB worked for me. Wonder who they will get to play Jamie. Need a bigger Kevin McKidd.

If he can nail the accent, I'm thinking Chris Hemsworth (Thor) with red hair and a kilt He's tall, long straight nose, wide mouth and has got the blue "cat eyes." To keep this on topic ... So what are the chances of falling 200 years back though time when we visit the Callanish Standing stones and running into Jamie Fraser? This is Disney after all. I'm sure imagineering could come up with something

 

[calypso726]

I was wondering if anyone is planning on getting a new camera specifically for this trip or if they already have the perfect camera. If so, what are you thinking of getting and why or what do you have and what makes it awesome?

I will be looking for a new camera for this trip. I haven't bought a new camera in years and I'm sure the technology has changed. I am definitely not a photographer and don't know much about cameras so I wanted to see what do others like and why. I will be sticking with a point and shoot for sure though.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

If he can nail the accent, I'm thinking Chris Hemsworth (Thor) with red hair and a kilt He's tall, long straight nose, wide mouth and has got the blue "cat eyes." To keep this on topic ... So what are the chances of falling 200 years back though time when we visit the Callanish Standing stones and running into Jamie Fraser? This is Disney after all. I'm sure imagineering could come up with something

I'm fine with Thor in anything--the only issue is the ginger hair

I was wondering if anyone is planning on getting a new camera specifically for this trip or if they already have the perfect camera. If so, what are you thinking of getting and why or what do you have and what makes it awesome?

I have this camera and really like it: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...TF8&qid=1342903450&sr=8-1&keywords=cannon+s95 It's not cheap, but it takes great pics and is easy to tote around everywhere.

 

[sayhello]

I was wondering if anyone is planning on getting a new camera specifically for this trip or if they already have the perfect camera. If so, what are you thinking of getting and why or what do you have and what makes it awesome?

I will be looking for a new camera for this trip. I haven't bought a new camera in years and I'm sure the technology has changed. I am definitely not a photographer and don't know much about cameras so I wanted to see what do others like and why. I will be sticking with a point and shoot for sure though.

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. I absolutely, positively LOVE it! The Panasonic Lumix DMC cameras all have Leica lenses, a 10x optical zoom and image stabilization. And they take fabulous pictures. I have lots of people think I've used a large, expensive camera to take my pictures. You can use it as purely a point-and-shoot, or play around with "scene" settings. The current model (Panasonic comes out with a new one at least every other year) is the DMC-ZS20.

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

I'm fine with Thor in anything--the only issue is the ginger hair



I have this camera and really like it: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...TF8&qid=1342903450&sr=8-1&keywords=cannon+s95 It's not cheap, but it takes great pics and is easy to tote around everywhere.

You and me both! Well it's easy enough to dye his hair for the role.

I have heard great things about that one. I understand it does really well in low light too. It's on my list of cameras to compare.

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. I absolutely, positively LOVE it! The Panasonic Lumix DMC cameras all have Leica lenses, a 10x optical zoom and image stabilization. And they take fabulous pictures. I have lots of people think I've used a large, expensive camera to take my pictures. You can use it as purely a point-and-shoot, or play around with "scene" settings. The current model (Panasonic comes out with a new one at least every other year) is the DMC-ZS20.

Sayhello

Thank you for the suggestion! I will look into that one too. I'm thinking that if I can figure out which camera I want before Christmas and delivers then I will have plenty of time to figure out how to use it before the trip

 

[SnowhiteHeather]

Sorry I am no good at this quote thing...I am new at this